Winding machine



Sept. 4,1934. w. MARCROFT 1,972,662

WINDING MACHINE Filed July 11, 19:53 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. MARCROFT WINDING MACHINE Sept. 4, '1934.

Filed July 11, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented Sept. 4, 1934 ATEN OFFICE I WlNDING MACHINE William Mai-croft, Cranston, B. 1., assignor to Universal Winding Company, Boston; Mass at corporation oi Massachusetts Application July 11, 1933, Serial No. 679,956

20 Claims.

ing machines for winding yarn, thread and similar materials into cops, bobbins, spools or other types of packages.

In the following specification and claims the term yarn is used in a generic sense to indicate all kinds of strand materials; and the term "package is employed in a broad sense to designate the product of the machine whatever its form may take.

One object of the present invention is to provide a winding machine for winding packages having the layers of yarn disposed in concentric planes with the body of the package formed with a conical or tapered end.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a winding machine for winding the yarn on a coptube, bobbin or spool having a conical enlargement or head at one end with the ends oi the layers of yarn conforming to the inclined face thereof. v

Another object oi the invention is to provide a winding machine having means for displacing the layers or winding in one direction or the other longitudinally of the axis of the package to build the mass with a hollow or concaved formation at one end and a convex formation at its opposite end. I

Another object of the invention is to provide means adapted for application to winding machines of conventional type for controlling the disposition of the layers of winding to displace or advance the same longitudinally of the ,axis of the package being wound. Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the type indicated which is simple in construction, eflicient in operation for the purposes intended and durable in use over long periods.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the iollowing specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a conventional type oi winding machine showing the present improved traverse-controlling mechanism applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of the traverse-controlling mechanism taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the winding mechanism of the machine showing the parts in position at the start of winding 9. package on its tube or support;

Fig. 4 is a similar plan view of the winding This invention relates to improvements in windmechanism of the machine showing the parts in position at the completion of winding a package; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the essential elements of the traverse-controlling mechanism. The present invention contemplates, in general,

the provision in a.winding machine comprising a rotatable spindle or mandrel on which the package is wound and means for traversing the yarn longitudinally of the axis of the winding-spindle,

of means controlled by the growthaof the package to gradually displace the layers of winding in an axial direction whereby to form the yarn mass with a conical or tapered nose at one end with its opposite end concaved to conform to a conical enlargement or head on the bobbin or spool.

Fig. i of the drawings shows a conventional type of windinghead or unit comprising a boxlike frame 2, a winding-spindle 3 journaled in bearings 4 on the frame, a thread-guide 5 reciprooable longitudinally of the axis of the wind ins-spindle, and a helical cam '7 for reciprocating the guide. The cam 7' is mounted fast on a shaft 8 journaled in bearings 9 in the lower part of the frame 2, being driven from the winding-spindle through means as next described.

Mounted loose on the winding-spindle 3 is a driving pulley 10 adapted to be connected by means of a belt to a suitable source of power such, for. example, as an electric motor. The driving pulley 10 is connected to rotate the spindle 3 through the means of a clutch member 11 fast on the spindle; the clutching and declutching of the pulley being efiected, respectively, through the usual manually-operated means for starting the machine and automatically-roperated means for arresting its operation. As shown in Fig. l a lever or handle 19, located in a convenient position above and at the forward side 0! the frame 2, is connected to manually control the shifting of the clutch.

The clutch member 11 carries a pulley 12' connected by a belt 13 to a similar pulley 14 on a countershaft 15. The countershaft 15 is journaled in a bearing in a gear-casing 16 and carries at its inner end a pinion 17 meshing with a gear 18 fasten the end of the cam-shaft 8. The winding-spindle 3, overhangs-the opposite end of the frame 2 to adapt it to support a cop-tube or yarncarrier C on which the winding is performed. As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the cop-tube or yarncarrier C may be of a form similar to that 01 a bottle bobbin as comprising a tubular cylindrical barrel b witha frusto-conical enlargement or head h at one end thereof. Thecop-tube C may be constructed of paper, fiber, wood or metal and is adapted to be slid onto a sleeve-like man- 5 drel or holder 20 which is secured fast to the winding-spindle-3 by a screw 21 or other suitable means. The sleeve of the holder 20 has its end split at 22 to adapt it to be. expanded radially under the action of a tapered thumb-screw 23, whereby to grip the interior of the tube C to secure it in place on the spindle 3. The concaved-end of the head h of the cop-tube or bobbin C seats around a frusto-conical form 24 at the end of the holder 20 to locate the cop-tube in proper position longitudinally of the spindle.

'I'he'thread-guide 5, previously referred to, is slidably supported on a swinging traverse-frame 30 pivotally mounted on the cam-shaft 8 to adapt the guide to swing outwardly away from the axis of the winding-spindle 3 during the increase in diameter ofthe winding. As herein shown the traverse-frame 30 is provided with a horizontal portion or crossbar 31 supported by two opposite legs 32 which are formed with hubs pivoted .on bushings 34 extending through the cam-shaft bearings 8 on the frame 2. The swinging movement of the traverse-frame is resisted by the action of a counterweight 33 connected to one of its legs 32 and reaching below its pivotal axis.

The thread-guide 5 is usually constructed in the form of a disk or button having a notch 6 for the thread to draw through and as herein shown it is mounted on an arm or holder 35. The lower end of the arm or guide-holder 35 is attached to the end.of a traverse-rod or bar 36 which slides in a groove or tra'ckway 3'! in the horizontal portion|31 of the traverse-frame 30. The upper portion of the arm 35 bears against the rearward face of a guide-plate or traverse- 0 frame back 38 which is attached to the frame 30 connected to its rearward end and carrying a stud 46 on which is journaled a roller or bowl.

47, see Figs. 1 and 2, engagingthe helical groove ;48 in the cam. In accordance with the present invention the axial displacement of the layers of winding are effected by changing the point of connection of the traverse-rod 36 with its recipro-.

eating slide or crosshead 45. That is to say, the

traverse-rod 36 is progressively displacedlongitudinally relatively of the slide 45 whereby to shift the position of traverse of the threadguide 5 along the axis of the winding-spindl 3 during the continuousreciprocation' of the guide. The

5 means for-altering or shifting the point of connection of the traverse-rod 36 with its slide or crosshead 45 is controlled from the swinging movement of the traverse-frame 30 as the threadguide 5 moves outwardly away from the axis of ;the winding-spindle during the increase in diameter of the package as'the layers of yarn are built up 'on the cop-tube or yarn-carrier C.

v The slide or cro'sshead 45, previously referred to as connecting the traverse-rod 36 with the cam and formed with a slot 72 ,through which the.

The traverse-rod 36 is reciprocated from the cam 7 through the means of a slide or crossheadmember 50, see- Figs. 2 and 5, fitted to slide in a right angular slot 51 in the horizontal crossbar 31 of the traverse-frame 30. The upper flange of the channel-shaped member overlies the flat top of the crossbar 31, and projecting from its rearward side are a pair of lugs 53 and 54 having bores 55 in which the traverse-bar 30 is adapted to slide. The rearward end of the traverse-bar 36 is formed on one side with a series of rackteeth 56 adapted to .mesh with the teeth of a 85 gear or pinion 58 carried on the slide 45.

As shown most clearlyin Fig. 5, the pinion 58 projects through a slot or opening 59in the side of the channel-shaped member 50, being secured fast to the end of a shaft or stud 60 iournaled in a bearing in a top-plate 61.. The plate 61 may be made integral. with the channelmember 50 or constructed as a separate part fastened to the top thereof by screws 62 as herein shown. Fast on the upper end of the shaft 60 is a smaller gear or pinion 63 adapted to mesh with .the teeth 66 of a rack-bar extending at right-angles to the traverse-bar 36. The rack-bar 65 is of arcuate shape inside view as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, being disposed concentrically of the axis of the cam '7 about which the traverse-frame 30 swings. The plate 61 on. the 'crosshead 45 is scored with a groove 67 having its bottom of arcuate contour conforming to the under side of the rack-bar 65 which slides therein, see Figs. 2 and 5." The rack-bar 65 is held in the groove 67 by means of a cleat 70 secured to thetop of the plate 61 by screws '71 rack-bar slides. I

The rearward end of the rack-bar 65 is fixedly attached to a slide '75, see Figs. 2, 3 and 4, which is adapted to reciprocate concurrently with the slide or crosshead 45.\ The slide 75 is formed with a flat top and depending legs 76 in which is held a bushing '77 surrounding a rod 78- fixedly supported between the \sides of the frame 2'. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the rod '18 extends through a hole in one side of the frame 2 and has a threaded end 79 screwed into a threaded hole in the opposite side of the frame. The rack-bar 65 is fastened to the flat top of the slide 75 by means of screws 80, being thereby supported to reciprocate with the slide or crosshead 45 while alsoadapted to slide across the top of thelatter to rotate the pinion 63 and thereby the gear 58.

The rack-bar 65 slides longitudinally with respect to thecrosshead 45 as the traverse-frame 30 swings outwardly away from the winding-spindle 3 and this movement effects a clockwise rotation of the gears 63 and 58 whereby the traversebar 36 is' caused to be shifted longitudinally in its bearing lugs 53 and 54-to retract the threadguide '5 toward the crosshead. This action takes place continuously during the winding of the package so thatduring the reciprocation of the thread-guide 5 its zone of traverseis gradually stepped back or displaced axially of the winding-- spindle 3 towards the frame 2. The method of operation of the complete machine is as follows: 140

The machine is prepared for winding a package by placing a suitable cop-tube or yarn-carrier, such as the, bobbin C herein shown,- on the winding-Spindle 3 with its head 71. abutting the conical form 24 of the mandrel 20 to locate 145 the tube in position. The cop-tube or bobbin C is secured rotatively with and longitudinally of the spindle 3 .by turning the thumb-screw 23 to expand the split portion of the mandrel 20 into 7, is constructed in the fo'rm of a chamiel-shaped bindingengagement with the bore of the tube. 59

shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the

thread-guide button 5 is cut away or beveled on its side to adapt it to closely approach the inclined side of the head h of the bobbin or cop-tube C so that the yarn may be wound clear to this end of the barrel b of the tube. With the traverse-frame 30 adjusted into position as illustrated in Fig. 3 the thread-guide 5 is so located relatively oi the crosshead 45 that the throw of the 'cam 7 will cause the guide to be traversed from the inner end of the barrel b outwardly to a point adjacent its opposite end.

The operation of the winding machine is started by throwing the handle or lever 19 to clutch the driving pulley 10 with the spindle 3 through means as usually employed on machines of the present type. As the spindle 3 is rotated from its source of power the cop-tube or bobbin 0 is turned to wind on the yarn y and the cam 7, driven from the spindle through the connections previously described, acts to reciprocate the crosshead 45 to transmit motion to the guide 5 on the traverse-frame 30. As before stated, the location of the guide 5 with respect to the crosshead 45 is arranged to traverse the thread-guide 5 from the outer end of the barrel b of the coptube C inwardly to a point where the barrel joins the head h, see Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The traversing motion of the thread-guide 5 lays the yarn on the barrel of the tube C in helical coils which build up in layers to form a selfsustaining mass. As the yarn accumulates on the barrel of the tube or bobbin Cit forces the threadguide 5 away from the axis of the winding-spindle 3 with the traverse-frame 30 swinging on its pivotal axis during this recession of the guide. As the traverse-frame 30 is swung. outwardly in this manner the crosshead 45 will move outwardly along the rack-bar 65. In other words, the rack-bar 65 will have a relative longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the crosshead; it being understood that the rack-bar is reciprocated with the crosshead 45 with its movement accommodated by the sliding action of the slide on the rod 78.

As the crosshead 45 moves away from the slide 75 the rack-bar 65 is drawn rearwardly through the slot in the cleat '70 with its toothed edge acting to rotate the pinion 63 in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5. The turning of the pinion 63 rotates the gear 58 to slide the traverse-rod 36 through its bearings 53 and 54 on the crcsshead 45 to shorten the distance between the thread-guide 5 and the crosshead. The traverse of the thread-guide 5 is thus gradually shifted inwardly toward the frame of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that the layers of yarn deposited on the cop-tube or bobbin C will be displaced to cause their inner ends to follow and con orm to the inclined side of the conical head it the bobbin. As the extent of reciprocation of the crosshead 45' remains constant the length of traverse of the thread-guide 5 is maintained constant so that the yarn will be disposed in overlying layers of uniform length in such manner that the forward end of the package is built up with a tapered or conically shaped nose conforming to the inclination of the head 7:. r of the bobbin C, see dot and dash lines in Fig. 4.

The winding proceeds in the manner explained until the package has attained a diameter equal to approximately the outside diameter of the head h on the holder or bobbin C. At this point the operation of the machine is arrested and the finished package removed from the spindle 3, after which a fresh tube or bobbin 0 is applied thereto and the machine started again to wind another package.

' It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an extremely simple and ingenious mechanism for controlling the traverse of the thread-guide during the winding of a cop or package whereby to attain a certain formation of the yarn mass. The mechanism for shifting or displacing the traverse of .the thread-guide is self-contained in a single unit which may be applied to machines of standard type without material alteration in the structure thereof and thus the invention is adapted for application to machines already in use.

The operation of the traverse-controlling mechanism is entirely automatic, requiring no adjustment or resetting after completion of the package; the replacing of the guide in winding position serving to return the parts to their initial relationship whereby they will operate properly to accomplish the desired result throughout repeated operations of the machine.

The traverse-controlling mechanism, as constituted by the rack-and-pinion connections, operates with such a slow movement that very little wear on the parts is entailed and therefore the device is particularly durable in use over long periods. I

The present improved mechanism may be attached to standard types of machines by simply applying a few additional parts which are economical to manufacture and may be quickly assembled without especial skill or expertness.

While the device is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that various modifications the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore,

without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

for actuating the guiding means, and arack-.

and-gear connection between the guiding means and its actuating means operative to effect a continuous displacement of the traverse of the yarn longitudinally of the mandrel.

3. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a package, means for guiding yarn to deposit it in layers on the package, means for actuating the guiding means, a rack-and gear mechanism connecting the guiding means with its actuating means, and means for turning the gear to progressively displace the guiding means during its traversing motion to advance the layers 120 7 may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from of winding longitudinally of the axis of the pack- 5 traversing yarn on the package, means for actuating the thread-guide, and a rack-and-gear connection between the thread-guide and its actuating means operative to progressively alter the position of the guide in relation to its actuating means to displace the layers 01! winding longitudinally of the axis 01' the package being wound.

5. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotating winding-spindle,-a thread-guide reciprocable opposite the winding mandrel, means for reciprocating the thread-guide, a rack connecting the thread-guide with the reciprocating means, a ,gear engaging the teeth of said rack, and means to progressively rotate thegear to displace the thread-guide to advance the layers of winding longitudinally of the axis of the package being wound.

6. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotating winding-spindle, a reciprocating thread-guide, means for reciprocating the threadguide, a rack-bar connecting the thread-guide with its reciprocating means, a gear engaging the teeth of the rack-bar, and means actuated by the growth of the package to turn the gear to change the location of the thread-guide with respect to its reciprocating means to progressively displace the layers of winding longitudinally of the axis of the package. g.

7. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a package, means for guiding yam on the package, means for actuating the guiding means, a rack-bar connecting the guiding-means with its actuating means, a gear engaging the rack-bar, and a second rack for turning the gear to progressively alter the distance between the guiding means and its actuating means to displace the layers of winding longitudinally oi the axis of the package being wound.

8. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a package, means for guiding yarn on' the package, means for actuating the guiding means, a rack-bar connecting the guiding means'with its actuating means, a gear engaging the rack-bar, and a second rack-bar op- .erative to turn the gear during the growth otthe package to progressively change the relation between the guiding means and its actuating means to displace the layers of winding longitudinally of the axis of the package.

9. In a-winding machine, the combination 01' means for rotating a package, means for guiding yarn on the package, said guiding means adapted to recede'from the axis of the package during the growth of the winding, means for actuating the guiding means, a rack-bar connecting the guiding means with .its actuating means, a gear engaging the rack-bar, and means actuated by the receding movement of the guiding means to turn the gear to progressively change the relationship of the guiding means with respectto its actuating means to displace the layers of winding alter the relation oi. the latter to its actuatin means to displace the layers of winding longitudinally of the axis of the package being wound.

11. In a winding machine, the combination or a rotatable package-holder, a thread-guide adapted to be traversed opposite the holder and arranged to recede therefrom during the increase in diameter of the winding, means for traversing the guide, a rack connecting the guide with its traversing means, a gear engaging said rack, and a second rack for turning the gear during the recession of the thread-guide from the packageholderr 12. In a winding machine, the combination or means for rotating a package, a thread-guide adapted to be traversed with respect to the package, a crosshead, means for reciprocating the crosshead, a rack connecting the thread-guide with the crosshead, a gear on the crosshead engaging said rack, and a second rack relatively slidable with respect to the crosshead and operative to rotate the gear to alter the connection between the thread-guide and crosshead.

13. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a package, a thread-guide for traversing yarn on the package, a reciprocating crosshead, means for reciprocating the crosshead, a rack-bar connecting the guide with the crosshead, a gear engaging the rack-bar, and a second rack-bar having movement relatively of the. crosshead and operative to turn the gear to alter the connection between the guide and the crosshead.

14. In a winding machine, the combination of meansfor rotating a package, a thread-guide for traversing yarn on the package, a crosshead for reciprocating the guide, a gear on said crosshead, a traverse-bar connected to the guide and formed with a rack engaging the gear on the crosshead, and a second rack operative to turn the gear to alter the location of the thread-guide with respect to the crosshead during the reciprocation'of the guide.

15. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a, package, means'for traversing yarn on the package, means for progressively displacing the traverse oi the yarn longitudinally of the axis of the package, and a rackmeans and package, arack-and-gear connection in'said means, and means for rotating the gear to alter the connection to progressively displace the layers of winding longitudinally of the axis of the package.

, 18. In a winding machine, the combination of means for rotating a package, means for traversing yarn on the package, means for effecting a relative displacement of the traverse of the yarn longitudinally of the axis of the package, a gear for-operating said last-named means, and a rack relatively movable with respect to the gear dur- L1:

ing the growth of the package turn said gear.

19. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotating winding-spindle, a traverse-frame, a thread-guide carried by said frame, a slide reciprocable on the frame, a, rack-bar connecting the thread-guide with the slide, a gear on the slide engaging the teeth of the rack-bar, and a second rack-bar for turning the gear, said secto cause it to ond-rack-bar being relatively movable with re-' spect to the gear during the growth of the package.

20. In a winding machine, the combination of 

